The recent opening of Limassol Greens, a new championship course created by renowned American architect Cabell B Robinson, has provided yet another compelling reason to book a golfing getaway to the stunning Mediterranean island of Cyprus, where year-round sunshine and wonderful hospitality add to the intoxicating holiday mix that so many find hard to resist. Words by Nick Bayly
With a laid-back pace of life, great weather, beautiful beaches, delicious food, widely spoken English, a manageable mid-haul flight time, and even a road system that involves driving on the left.
It’s no surprise that Cyprus has long been a popular destination for UK holidaymakers. Throw in a great mix of hotels and a strong private rental property market and it’s easy to see why us Brits make up over a third of the four million tourists that visit this beautiful island every year.
While the ‘fly ‘n’ flop’ brigade traditionally dominate the sun-seeking visitors that fly into Larnaca and Paphos during the hot summer months.
An increasing number of golfers are choosing to book their main golfing holiday in Cyprus during the more temperate shoulder season (September-November and March-May) thanks to a quintet of championship golf courses that now feature in the south-western corner of the island.
While Minthis Hills (minthisresort.com) and Secret Valley (secretvalleygolfresort.com) put Cyprus on the golf holiday map when they first opened in the mid-1990s, it wasn’t until 2002.
With the arrival of Aphrodite Hills (aphroditehills.com), with its Cabell B Robinson-designed championship course and attendant five-star hotel and resort, that serious golf aficionados began to consider the island something a bit more than a place to indulge in a bit of holiday golf between trips to the sun lounger.
RAISING THE BAR
That bar was raised still further in 2010 when golfing knight Sir Nick Faldo put down his marker in the plentiful sand at the Eléa Golf Club (eleaestate.com), whose majestic layout located just a short drive from Paphos.
And now that quartet has been joined by Limassol Greens, another Cabell Robinson design that opened at the end of 2025 that is set to raise the bar by yet another notch.
Adding depth and variety to the golf offering in Cyprus, and creating the potential for extended golfing stays, Limmasol Greens was only fully open to members in November – when I had the opportunity to play it – but is now welcoming visitor bookings for 2026.
Located on a flattish strip of land a mile west of the historic town of Limassol, on the most southern tip of the island, the 18-hole course overlooks a saltwater lagoon and beyond that.
Somewhat incongruously, the RAF airbase at Akrotiri, which, I was amazed to discover, is deemed to be a British Overseas Territory as a hangover from when Cyprus was a British colony prior to its independence in 1960.
The golfers among the 4,000-plus personnel who work at the base will no doubt be delighted to have a new course to play on their doorstep, as the other aforementioned layouts are all located 50-60km to the west.
FLOWING DESIGN
While Limmasol Greens’ slightly inland setting doesn’t boast the theatrical drama of Aphrodite Hills or the grandiose bunkering of Eléa.
The quality of its design and the impressive attention to detail in its presentation, makes it more than hold its own as a golfing experience.
Robinson, the architect behind fine courses such as La Reserva do Sotogrande, Finca Cortesín and Las Colinas, is a master of letting strategy and setting do the talking.
And he has done some of his best work here, building a course that flows through the landscape rather than imposing itself on it.
At just over 6,900 yards from the back tees, the par-71 course has the length expected of a modern championship layout, but it doesn’t bully you with it.
Fairways are generous without being featureless, inviting you to swing freely while still punishing lapses in concentration.
Bunkering is thoughtful rather than ornamental, water features are strategic rather than punitive, and the overall impression is of a course that rewards patience and placement more than brute force.
The white tees take the overall length to a more holiday-friendly 6,450 yards, while the yellows (5,900), blues (5,480) and reds (5,000) ensures that there are tees to suit all standards of player.
While also providing a variety of options to change the strategy of each hole. I played off the whites, which most mid-handicappers will feel comfortable with, and one which offers a good test without being too severe.
STRATEGIC TEST
The course kicks off with a straightforward, if somewhat lengthy, par five, although with water all the way down the left, you’ll have to be both straight and forward on this 550-yarder to avoid an early reload.
Gutsy two-putt par secured, we moved onto the second, a shortish par 4, which is a feature of the course, with the card boasting no fewer than five ‘two-shoters’ that are under 360 yards, which makes for a refreshing change from the type of courses which think holiday golfers get a kick out of trying to make a par on a 470-yard par-4.
The third is the first of five par-3s on the card, and is arguably the least interesting of the bunch, with the hole playing between 180 and 210 yards depending on the pin position, to a green that slopes gently from back to front. Guarded by bunkers left and right it presents quite a tough target from the tee.
I liked the look of the 6th hole off the tee, with this 380-yard par 4 featuring a 90-degree left-to-right dogleg which asks you to decide how greedy want to be.
The answer, in my case, was too greedy, as my drive, which looked great in the air, stalled in the wind – it’s almost always a bit breezy here, I’m told – and caught the edge of the marshy water hazard that lurks half-way down the dog leg’s tibia.
A second-ball par ensued, with my reloaded tee shot giving the hazard a little more respect.
The 7th, a 310-yard par 4, presents an outside eagle chance for big hitters with a helping wind. I came up 60 yards short and was happy to make a bogey after a duffed chip from the clawing semi-rough came up short of the putting surface.
Speaking of grass, the turf choices speak volumes about the ambition here. The Bermuda grass sown on the fairways offers durability and consistency in the dry Cypriot climate.
While Bentgrass greens delivered the smoothest, truest putting surfaces I played on for quite some time.
The front nine finishes with another dog-leg, this time a right-to-left, 580-yard par-five with a lake guarding the area to the left of the all the way up to the edge of the green.
It will require two lusty blows, the second over the angle of the lake to set up a shortish approach to pin that hopefully isn’t too close to the water’s edge.
The back nine is slightly longer than the front and feels it on the 10th, a 430-yard par-4 that features a large swale in front of the green that will see shorter hitters struggle to find the short stuff in regulation.
A ridge running through the middle of the green makes find the right side of the hole essential if you are to avoid dropping shots. The 11th, the fourth of the short holes, is a fun 150-yarder requiring a mid-to-short iron to a green that feature a lake lurking on the right side.
No fewer than six bunkers to the left of the putting surface will snaffle up those who over-cook their bale out.
CHALLENGING FINISH
The par-4 13th begins a particularly tough stretch, with the 400-yard hole living up to its stroke index 1 billing thanks to out-of-bounds down the left and bunkers left and right of the landing area of a fairway that sweeps around to the left.
An elevated green with a deep bunker short left completes the challenge.
The 14th is a relatively straightforward par-5 that bigger hitters will be able to make in two providing they avoid a collection of fairway bunkers at the 270-yard mark.
While 15th is another of those tricky dog-legs that Robinson seems to have such a liking for, with a massive bunker on the knee of the leg ready to snap up anything under hit off the tee.
After navigating the lengthy and challenging par-3 17th, which features a raised green and a sloping apron, the round comes to a suitably rousing finish at the 18th, a 400-yard dog-leg par 4.
Which offers a tantalising tee shot over a lake to a narrow strip of fairway before setting up an approach to a very long, yet narrow green guarded by a brace of front bunkers.
After finishing my round and sipping on a cold beer in the sunshine on the spacious clubhouse terrace, what struck me most about the course — even allowing for the fact that it is still bedding in — was how playable it felt.
This is a course that will stand up to repeated play, with opportunities to find new angles and new ways of playing each hole rather than feeling beaten up by it. For holiday golfers, that matters – a lot.
OFF-COURSE FACILITIES
While the on-course experience at Limassol Greens is impressive, there is no let-up in quality in the off-course facilities. In addition to the stylish two-storey clubhouse.
The second phase of which is yet to be built but will contain a 150-cover restaurant and members’ lounge – the club boasts a 350-yard, 30-bay outdoor driving range, with half of the bays kitted out with Trackman ball-tracking technology which connect to high-resolution touchscreens to offer instant feedback on every swing, from club-head speed and launch angle to carry distances and dispersion patterns.
Add in a course-standard practice putting green and chipping areas, and a team of professional coaches, and it’s clear that Limassol Greens is aiming to nurture golfers, not just accommodate them, and makes it a solid option for golf tuition holiday groups.
WORLD-CLASS ADDITION
It would be remiss of me to leave you thinking that Limassol Greens is the finished article. Some facilities and supporting infrastructure were still to be completed during my visit in November.
While the property development that is an essential element of virtually all new overseas golf ventures these days is being rolled out in phases and will be on-going for several years to come.
But that should not deter you from the main focus – the course, which although will undoubtedly improve with a few seasons under its belt, is already a world class addition to the Cypriot golfing supply chain.
And with green fees starting from €98 – including a buggy – it also represents decent value, even more so if you build a round or two here into a package offered by one of the major golf tour operators that take in other nearby courses.
STAYING & PLAYING AT THE CITY OF DREAMS MEDITERRANEAN
If Limassol Greens represents the new face of golf in Cyprus, City of Dreams Mediterranean – where I stayed during my three-night trip – represents its future in hospitality.
Just minutes from the golf course – and soon to be connected to the golf course by a private buggy path – this vast, unapologetically luxurious 500-room resort is impossible to miss – a 14-storey Limassol landmark with views stretching from the sea to the mountains.
On arrival at the resort, following a stress-free 40-minute transfer from Larnaca airport, I was somewhat surprised to find the central lobby of the hotel leading directly to cavernous casino.
The bright lights and hum of activity was quite an assault on the senses but certainly adds another dimension to the more traditional leisure options on offer at your average hotel.
While it’s undoubtedly a gambling heaven for rollers both high and low – many of whom fly in for the weekend to do nothing else – if slot machines, roulette tables and poker aren’t your bag.
There are plenty of other activities on offer at City of Dreams, with a myriad of outdoor swimming pools, an expansive spa and fitness centre, tennis courts, kids clubs.
And an impressive adventure playground, ensuring that a holiday here doesn’t require apologies to those family members travelling without golf clubs or poker chips in tow.
There is also an outdoor amphitheatre for hosting cultural events and concerts, and impressive conference and wedding facilities, should you be looking to tie up any business deals or conjugal knots during your stay.
ROOMS WITH A VIEW
Guest bedrooms and suites are spacious and suitably luxurious, with south-facing rooms enjoying views to the lagoon and the sea, while north-facing suites look out to the distant mountain range.
All feature generous balconies with ample seating. From our south-facing room we took great delight in watching the daily cargo plane landing at the nearby RAF base.
No doubt delivering supplies of Marmite, sliced white bread and copies of the Daily Mail to home-sick members of the British Armed Forces who are stationed there.
A beside tablet controls lighting, curtains and room service – while bathrooms encourage pampering, with deep tubs, powerful rainforest showers and the kind of towels that make you think it’s high time to upgrade your own threadbare options at home.
EATING AROUND THE WORLD
Dining at City of Dreams is not to be taken lightly and is right up there with anything I’ve experienced at a resort in terms of both quality and choice. Anaïs, the resort’s flagship fine dining restaurant, leans into classic French cooking with confidence rather than fuss.
This is grown-up dining — crisp linens, thoughtful wine pairings, and dishes that respect ingredients.
Elsewhere, Prime Steakhouse delivers theatrical cuts of high-grade beef from Japan, America and Australia; Amber Dragon offers polished pan-Asian cuisine, and Aura provides a relaxed buffet-style experience that doesn’t feel like a compromise.
The latter also serves an impressive breakfast spread that will leave little room for lunch.
EXPLORING THE LIMASSOL AREA
In between sumptuous meals and rounds of golf, be sure to find time to explore the area in and around Limassol.
At the heart of the city is Limassol Castle, a medieval fortress now home to the Cyprus Medieval Museum, where you can learn about local history and admire artifacts spanning centuries.
The Limassol Archaeological Museum and the Folk Art Museum also reveal local heritage, while the surrounding Old Town is perfect for wandering narrow streets lined with traditional shops, cafés and tavernas.
Limassol’s Molos Promenade stretches along the waterfront with a wide range of cafés, bars and restaurants making it ideal for an evening stroll and a sundowner.
While nearby beaches such as Lady’s Mile provide soft sand and calm waters – perfect for trying out a variety of water sports like jet-skiing and windsurfing.
Beyond the city, scenic drives lead to the Troodos Mountains or charming villages like Apsiou, offering hiking, wine tasting and a taste of rural Cypriot life.
While history buffs should head to the Amathus archaeological site, which features the ruins of one of Cyprus’s oldest ancient kingdoms, overlooking the sea; while the Greco-Roman theatre at Kourion, which was built around 2BC, is also well worth seeing.
BOOKINGS & ENQUIRIES
Your Golf Travel is offering a seven-night, four-round package, taking in two rounds at Limassol Greens (limassolgreens.com) and two rounds at a choice of Secret Valley, Minthis, Elea or Aphrodite Hills, plus seven nights’ dinner, B&B at City of Dreams Mediterranean (www.cityofdreamsmed.com.cy), from £1,739pp. For all enquiries, visit www.yourgolftravel.com.
